In 2013, the global maker movement was gaining momentum as desktop 3D printers began appearing in offices, homes and classrooms, revolutionizing rapid prototyping with plastic materials. But when it came to printing circuit boards, the process remained slow, complex and largely outsourced.
Four University of Waterloo alumni, Jesus Zozaya (BASc '13), Katarina Ilić (BASc '13), James Pickard (BASc '13) and Alroy Almeida (BASc '13) saw an opportunity to change that.
Voltera founders from left to right: James Pickard (BASc '13), Katarina Ilić (BASc '13) and Jesus Zozaya (BASc '13).
Instead of printing plastics, they envisioned a machine that could prototype printed circuit boards (PCBs) - the backbone of modern electronics - using silver-based conductive materials. Their goal was to bring the speed and accessibility of 3D printing to electronic hardware development. That idea laid the foundation for Voltera's V-One and NOVA printers.
"At Voltera, our mission is to catalyze innovation by removing barriers to entry," Zozaya says. "It's our customers who are conducting ground-breaking innovation - patenting, publishing and prototyping. Through our tools, we get a glimpse into their world and it's incredibly energizing."
Voltera has shipped more than 5,000 units globally, with its PCB printers driving innovation at top universities, Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Their versatility has enabled breakthroughs from wearable technology and aerospace to life-saving medical devices. Voltera also offers printing services, giving users a low-risk way to test ideas and making prototyping more accessible - all while contributing to local economic growth.
Prototyping tomorrow's innovations today
Traditional PCBs are manufactured using subtractive methods, where unwanted copper is etched away from a copper-coated board. While effective, this process is resource-intensive and environmentally unsustainable due to high water usage, hazardous material handling and material waste.
Voltera takes a different approach with additive manufacturing, applying conductive materials only where needed.
"Additive manufacturing is much cleaner, environmentally friendly and opens up new possibilities for design," Zozaya says. "At Voltera, additive technology allows us to embed electronics in unconventional locations. It doesn't have to be a rigid board - it can be flexible, stretchable and conform to your body."
Voltera's first product, the V-One, is a compact desktop printer that drills through holes, prints conductive traces using silver conductive ink, dispenses solder paste and reflows components - all in one system.
The V-One quickly gained traction among educators, researchers and engineers for its ability to accelerate hands-on experimentation and prototype their ideas. Voltera's commitment to user feedback has been central to its evolution.
"We noticed researchers were using the V-One in ways it wasn't originally designed for," Zozaya explains. "They were modifying or hacking the machine by incorporating their own materials. That's what ultimately led to the development of NOVA."
Designed for advanced research, NOVA supports printing on flexible, stretchable and biocompatible materials. It features a high-resolution alignment and inspection system, a configurable mounting grid with a removable vacuum table, a smart dispenser with closed-loop pressure feedback and a built-in heater and a smart probe for accurate height mapping - enhancing precision and usability.
It can print with a large range of materials, including silver, copper, gold or carbon inks. Voltera's tools continue to drive innovation by helping users prototype faster and more affordably without relying on outsourced production.
Pickard showcasing a prototype material with silver conductive ink printed by Voltera's NOVA printer.
Built in Waterloo, backed by community
Mechatronics engineering students, Zozaya, Pickard and Almeida never imagined their fourth-year Capstone Design project would evolve into a successful additive manufacturing company. After graduation, the team joined Waterloo's centre of entrepreneurship, Velocity, spending two years developing the V-One before launching it on Kickstarter.
"I really feel like we were in the right place at the right time," Zozaya says. "Velocity made all the difference. If we had started a company outside of that entrepreneurial ecosystem, I don't think we would have made it."
Their connection to Velocity remains strong - Almeida now serves as a director at Velocity, supporting founders within the same community that launched Voltera.
Today, Voltera designs, manufactures and ships its products directly from Waterloo, supporting Canada's advanced manufacturing sector. The company sources most parts from local suppliers in Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and Mississauga, minimizing exposure to tariffs and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable, domestic production.
The company continues to invest in local talent through a steady stream of hires through Waterloo's Co-operative Program, and has recently hired a former co-op student full-time, demonstrating a dedication to nurturing long-term talent and strengthening community ties.
Canadian-made, globally respected
Voltera launched its flagship product, the V-One, on Kickstarter in 2015, attracting 938 backers and raising more than $500,000 - far surpassing its original goal. The V-One was a game changer, enabling users to prototype PCBs in-house within hours and generating excitement for its intuitive, accessible design.
"A lot of equipment focuses solely on technical specs - how fast it runs and what it can do - but often overlooks the user experience," Zozaya says. "We take a different approach. We want our products to not only perform well but also feel intuitive and enjoyable to use."
That same year, Voltera became the first Canadian company to win the prestigious international James Dyson Award, earning $60,000 in funding after competing against 710 entries from 20 countries. They also won first place at TechCrunch's Hardware Battlefield at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, receiving $50,000 for their innovative industrial design.
Zozaya and the Voltera team having a meeting.
In recent years, Voltera has earned recognition from Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 Companies, The Global and Mail's Canada's Top Growing Companies, and Canadian Business' Fastest Growing Companies. Their second product, NOVA, was named Innovation of the Year at the 2023 European Production Design Awards.
"What really excites us is the customers we get to work with," Zozaya says. "We are a small Canadian company with less than 100 people, but we consistently punch above our weight. We're working with top customers from all over the world and that is very rewarding."
Looking ahead, Zozaya envisions Voltera expanding beyond the development of prototyping tools by bringing new low-volume production solutions to market.
As Voltera continues to grow, its roots in Waterloo's innovation district remain central, proving that with the right tools, environment and vision, even a student project can spark global impact.
The "Made by Waterloo:" series showcases innovative startups founded by University of Waterloo alumni and researchers that are driving Canada's economy forward. These companies, nurtured within the region's vibrant tech ecosystem, are making significant local and global impacts. Through this series, we highlight how Waterloo and these home-grown businesses are fostering prosperity by attracting, developing and retaining the talent essential for fueling Canada's economic growth.
